The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-05
A WRECKED LIFE.
Sara Jewett, the Once Popular Actress, a
Victim Of the Opium Habit.

New York. Oct, 4-Miss Sara Jewett for
merly the leading lady of the Union-square
Theater, applied yesterday to the Actors Fund
Charity for money to buy the necessaries of
life. The story of Miss Jewetts misfortune has
no parallel among the famous actresses of the
American stage Instances of misfortune in
American life are by no meansjrare, but a case
like this one is unknown. Nothing has been pub
lished thus far about the matter, although the
facts were known in certain quarters some days
ago, through letter which we'll known woman
of the stage wrote. In this letter the following
passage appeared s'The efforts of Sara Jewett's
friends to conceal the real condition OF things
partake of the nature of mistaken kindness. /
believe if the full story of her misery were told
the many friends whom she still retains and
and who still cherish her memory. and the
thousands Of people who have been delighted
by her acting, would step forward eagerly and
extend their assistance. New York life is such
rush and whirl that nothing is so easy be for
gotten, and the relation of the true story of Miss
Jewett's unhappiness could not help doing
her good" It is doubtful if any actress has held
q warmer place in tn eaters oers' hearts than the
leading lady of the Union-square Theater In the
zenith of success of that house. When the late
Charles r. Thorne was leading man and the
productions were constant series of triumphs,
Miss Jewett was the bright particular star of
the cast. In the 1.-TWO Orphans" 'Rose Michel"
and the other well-known pieces. Miss Jewetts
creations were continually successful. There
was never a breath of scandal whispered against
her name, and she was a very pronounced favor
lite of the women portion of the audience She
had fully as many admirers among the women
among the men. and she was one of the most
popular members of Sorosis and other womens
clubs Miss Jewett's methods were quiet and
artistic: she was never sensational actress did
not rant, and imbued most Of her characters
with a certain domesticity and sentiment that
formed the groundwork of her reputation. Her
life was simple when off the STAGE and, though
she drove occasionally in the park, she was
seldom seen in public. In fact it would have
been difficult at that time to have
seemed assured that of the leading
lady of what was at that time PROFESSIONALLY the
foremost theater in America. In person Miss
Jewett was of medium height. with a slender but
well-rounded form. light hair and dimpled
face. She came of excellent family, and had
relatives living in New York When the col
lapse of the Union-square came. Charles Thorne
died. and the strongest company OF the times
was disbanded. Sara Jewett was inundated
with offers from managers all over the country.
She went out with one company after another
on the road. but never stayed any length of
time and invariably came back to New York.
expressing more or less dissatisfaction with her
engagements No one seemed to suspect the
true cause of her repeated failures. as there was
never question of her ability as an actress.
Last night. in the Hoffman House, one Of her
former managers was asked about this portion
of Miss Jewett's career He chewed the end of
his cigar moodily for moment and then said,
shortly: Are the facts known about Miss
Jewettp 1T is known that she ap-.
piled to the Actors Fund for assistance. and
that Manager A. NJ Palmer sent his check for
$3.50" Eyes, know about that The fund
will undoubtedly restore the money Co Mr..
takes some time for the machinery of the Actors
Fund to work. and Miss Jewetts needs were
very pressing. What / meant to ask was
whether it was generally known that opium was
at the bottom of all her troubles2" II have
heard it from half dozen men tonight"
WELL that's the cause of the whole thing. Is
numbs all her senses, makes her utterly stupid,
destroys her ability, and has, in fact threatened
to wreck what was once one of the most beauti-
full and intelligent actresses on the American
stage. The craze began shortly after Miss jew
EFT left the Union square Theater. Like most
people of intense artistic temperament, the drug
excited her violently, and soon got grip that
nothing has been able to loosen. 1t simply
transforms her when she is under it's influence,
and her will has grown weaker and weaker as
her excuses have increased, until nothing of the
brilliant woman who once held complete sway
in New York remains but physical wreck. .
Managers had extraordinary trouble with Miss
Jewett from the fact that her native dignity and
genteness warded off, for time, all inquiries.
but after little she became SO utterly fuddled
that her friends made an effort to save her.
Every effort up to this time has utterly failed.
One by one her friends have been alenated. until
now few of them remain. She was only two
weeks in my company, and then we were Obliged
to cancel her contract. MIR. Palmer has been q
stanch and fgood helper to her throughout, Tor
he never fails to realize how much she had to do
with the of his first troupe. If 1t had
been in his power, there is no doubt he would
have restrained her from applying to public
charity. but the limit was reached. long ago"
The News publishes the following: Mr.. Pal
mer said "Miss Jewett applied for
and 1 gave her my personal
check for $3.50. Regarding the opium story. that
is also untrue. The lady is not well, and Is
under treatment by physician at a Tell known
watering place, near this city. trust that in q
short time she will be entirely WELL"
Assistant Secretary Baker, of the Actors
Fund said: 1.-THE lady was under my stage d.
rection in San Francisco, and she never showed
any signs of using either morphine or opium"
TEIEGRAPHIC RREVTTIES.